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Chicago Cubs World Series: How they match up with the Cleveland Indians

By Carlos Nazario

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts (left) hands the National League Championship Trophy to President of Baseball operations Theo Epstein after game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Cubs win 5-0 to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts (left) hands the National League Championship Trophy to President of Baseball operations Theo Epstein after game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Cubs win 5-0 to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

This was a tough one. Joe Maddon is a three-time Manager of the Year and won with a small market team in Tampa Bay. He is an unconventional thinker who comes up with wacky ways to use his roster (see Travis Wood and Pedro Strop playing left field).

Maddon does not dwell on things, whether they be good or bad. He will do anything to keep his players’ focus. He has a disco in the clubhouse, and he has brought in flamingos and snakes and magicians.

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Francona is a two-time champion. Theo Epstein, the architect of the Cubs’ winning roster, also constructed the Red Sox winning teams, and he chose Francona and Maddon to lead his teams.

Francona needs to be commended for the job he’s done with this Cleveland roster. He had an excellent team to begin with, but injuries and suspensions drained it. His use of Miller has been superior.

With everything Maddon has at his disposal, he could be accused of overmanaging sometimes. That comes up when he uses Chapman in the eighth inning, even though he is uncomfortable pitching in that situation.

Advantage: Indians

This will be an interesting World Series. As I pointed out here, the Chicago Cubs, on paper, should win this pretty easily. The Indians are a scrappy team, much like the Dodgers were. They are on a roll at the moment, and their bullpen is dominant.

Next: Chicago Cubs World Series: It's been a long time coming

Cleveland’s offense needs to pick it up, however. They got away with scoring just twelve runs in the ALCS, but that will not work out again in the World Series. The Cubs offense is on a roll again, and if they continue to score runs at a high pace (23 runs in the last three games), this will be a short series.

Conclusion: Chicago Cubs in six

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